Woman fined for dog attack on boy

The court heard the boy was left bleeding and extremely upset

A pensioner whose dog escaped from its home and bit a five-year-old boy on his face has been fined £200 and ordered to pay £350 in compensation.

The boy had been playing with his brother in Edinburgh's Mayfield when the Lakeland Terrier owned by 67-year-old Frieda Laing attacked him.

An earlier hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard he was left screaming, with blood gushing from his face.

Laing's lawyer said she was remorseful and had the dog put down the same day.

Fiscal depute Sally Clark said: "At around 1645 GMT the boy was playing outside with his brother when he saw a dog which he recognised as one from the neighbourhood and knew it was called Pip.

"The dog was seen to run towards the boy and jump up at him.

"It then bit him on his right cheek causing deep open wounds and cuts to his mouth and face.

"His brother was frightened and tried to get the dog off but it ran away.

"Blood was gushing from his mouth and he was extremely shaken and was screaming."

'Remorseful'

She added that the boy was left with four wounds, one to his upper lip, two beside his upper lip and one to his nose.

Ms Clark added there were concerns the youngster could be left with permanent scars.

Police officers spoke to Laing and heard a dog had escaped from her home on several occasions and that at the time of the incident the garden gate had been left open.

Laing told officers the dog had returned to the house 20 minutes later and also said she wanted the dog put down.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard the dog had escaped from Laing's home

Laing admitted being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog that bit a child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, leaving him severely injured.

The offence happened on 19 May this year at a grass area in the Mayfield area of Edinburgh.

Defence agent Andrew Gilbertson said Laing was considerably remorseful and contrite and had the dog put down the same day.

Sentence had been deferred on Laing for background reports.

Sheriff Neil MacKinnon told Laing: "This is a serious matter but I am impressed by the remorse you have expressed."

He also banned her from having a dog for three years.